NWCG Instructor Certification is defined in the Field Manager's Course Guide in the front of the document. The following standards have been developed to help improve the quality and availability of qualified instructors. Separate standards have been developed for:
- Instructors of 100 and 200 level courses,
- Distance Learning/Self-study Course Administrator Certification,
- Adjunct Instructors of 300-600 level courses (See attached table),
- Unit Instructors of 300-600 level courses (See attached table) and,
- Lead Instructors of 300-600 level courses (See attached table).
INSTRUCTORS OF 100-200 LEVEL NWCG COURSES: To serve as an instructor (Unit or Lead) you must meet one of the following criteria:
- Qualified and current (minus Work Capacity Test and Annual Fireline Safety Refresher) in any required positions identified as an instructor prerequisite for the course description in the NWCG Field Manager's Course Guide.
OR
- Written approval by Course Coordinator to instruct a specific unit or technical portions of a unit or units.
100 level courses: No additional training requirements beyond those set forth in the Field Manager's Course Guide for each particular course.
200 level courses: Lead instructors are required to meet the "Unit Instructor - Teaching Skills" as well as the "Lead Instructor - Teaching Skills" portion of the attached "Instructor Criteria for 300-600 Level NWCG Courses."
Unit instructors should have 32 hours of instructor training (Facilitative Instructor, M-410; equivalent course; Degree in Education; or, current or previous Education credential).
DISTANCE LEARNING COURSE ADMINISTRATORS OF NWCG DISTANCE LEARNING OR SELF STUDY 100-400 LEVEL COURSES: To serve as an instructor, you must meet the following criteria:
A course administrator is a person responsible for guiding a student through a self-paced course (computer based or paper based). Course administrators must meet qualifications set forth in the Field Manager's Course Guide for each particular course; have general administrative knowledge of testing, certificates of completion and qualification system of record for the agency or agencies involved; and must be available in person, by phone, or by email to assist the student during the completion of the course.
DECERTIFICATION OF INSTRUCTORS:
Instructor Certification is a privilege, not a right. Whenever a questionable situation arises, the case will be reviewed by the appropriate course or training center coordinator (Reviewing Official). If it is determined that the individual instructor has performed poorly during one or more courses, the Reviewing Official can recommend to the official that certified the individual as an instructor (Certifying Official) that their certification be withdrawn for a specific course, group of courses or all courses. If the individual is a contractor, performance below those standards identified in a contract may be cause for non-payment or voiding the contract and the Contracting Officer shall be consulted and be involved in the final disposition. Decertification shall remain in place until the problem has been remedied. Decertification should include removal from active instructor list(s) in IQCS.
RECERTIFICATION OF INSTRUCTORS:
The Certifying Official shall determine, in consultation with the Reviewing Official, the requirements to regain certification. Recertification is the responsibility of the Certifying Official or body managing the instructor's certification.
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